Nursing Homes - Just a Place to Die?

Here We Go Again

This is the Wm. F. Middleton VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. On Thursday Oct. 19 my father was admitted and diagnosed with a broken hip. He was diagnosed with ospeoprosis due to long term Prednisone use. He takes Prednisone for his lungs, which are hardened like chunks of charcoal from long-term cigeratte use. He has approximatley 1/3 of his lungs still functional and lives on 2 liters of oxygen 24/7. Those reading this I hope you understand, quiting smoking is the second hardest thing to do, the first is living in a body destroyed by smoking.

When a patient only has a third of their lungs left there are great concerns in the use of anastesia for surgery. Should they use a lung machine to perform the surgery there is a good chance the lungs won't function on their own again after surgery. Dad made his wishes clear, before his dementia clouded his understanding, that he did not wish to live on machines.

Decisions

Well lucky me, I get to decide my father's fate and future. As his medical Power of Attorney I sign the papers to allow the surgey to be performed. This time the result is good, he comes out of surgery with his hip repaired, a stainless bolt and plate holding it together while it heals. They were able to perform the surgery with minimal anastesia and as a result Dad is breathing with his usual O2 and although groggy is awake less than an hour after surgery is complete.

The Next Step

Fast forward 9 days. I've found a nursing home located less than 10 miles from my Dad's home. This will allow my mother to visit daily and drive herself. Dad is transported via ambulance, with my mother riding along to reassure him, to his new home. He believes he is here to get therapy for his hip and he is. But what I must now decide is should he remain in the nursing home long-term. With my mother, now 77 and crippled with arthritis, unable to maintain 24 hour care for Dad, I believe the time has come to make this decision as well.

This is the 4th nursing home admission for Dad and it may be the last. I'll know more in a few weeks, it isn't something to be decided right this minute.